Jonathan and David -- Part 2

Jonathan – Saul’s Son – 1 Samuel 19

        Jonathan and David typified the united love of Christ and His followers, and the type of love Christians are to have for Christ and for each other as we do God’s kingdom work. In the face of adversity, Jonathan and David grew closer and were loyal to each other. As Christians grow closer to Christ, they will also be united and loyal to one another.

Jonathan and David were friends because they walked together in agreement. They were of like character and purpose as Christians are to be with Christ. Like David, Jonathan was full of faith in God, courageous in battle, a loyal friend, tender and capable of deep love. Even though Jonathan was torn between devotion to his father Saul, he offered love and encouragement to his friend David. No doubt, Jonathan never gave up hope that one day his father would return to the Lord. He stay with Saul to the end, fighting beside him even to his death. He gave his life for David. The death of Saul and Jonathan opened the door for David to sit on the throne, just as Jesus’ death opened the door for all who love and follow Him to be seated on the throne with Him. God’s last will and testament is the New Covenant of salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ, which gives us our inheritance with the Father and Him.

       Jonathan and David were knitted together in a deep and abiding love and friendship because they had like characters. Both Jonathan and David had a deep commitment to God’s kingdom and His people. (see 1 Samuel  14:6; 17:47) They were humble, courageous and noble in character. Each was willing to lay down his life for his fellow man. Jonathan, like David and unlike his father Saul, trusted God for victory and was humble, loyal and willing to submit to God’s will. Though Jonathan’s natural heritage put him in line to succeed Saul, he submitted to God’s choice of king and supported him. Jonathan gave his all to David: his love, his inheritance to the throne of his father, his covenant, his honor, his garment, his weapons and lastly his life. Jesus too gave His all to His followers – His love, His grace, His peace, His joy, His life, His Spirit and His Heavenly Kingdom. Jesus loved us with His own life. Jesus is the Perfect Giver.

Jonathan and David show us that men can have a deep and tender relationship without any sexual attraction. The relationship between Jonathan and David has erroneously been depicted as a homosexual relationship. To twist this pure, God-driven, brotherly love relationship is a travesty and must hurt the pure love and heart of God.

Jonathan stripped himself of his royal robe, his armor and his weapons and gave them to David saying, “You will be the next king of Israel………God’s hand is upon you and these are rightfully yours.” Because Jonathan was surrendered to God, he saw God’s hand on David.  It was Jonathan’s deep faith and trust in God like David that motivated him. Jesus too stripped Himself of His royal garment to come to earth to redeem mankind and share His royalty with those who receive Him. Jesus in the greatest act of unselfish love laid down His life willingly at the cross for the sins of the whole world so that we could put on His royal robe of righteousness.

Both Jonathan and David had a deep commitment to God’s kingdom, His people and to each other. (see 1 Samuel  14:6; 17:47) Each was willing to lay down his life for his fellow man. Jonathan, like David and unlike his father Saul, trusted God for victory. He was willing to submit to God’s will. Though Jonathan’s natural heritage put him in line to succeed Saul, he submitted to God’s choice of king and supported him. Jonathan gave his all to David: his love, his inheritance to the throne of his father, his covenant, his honor, his garment, his weapons and lastly his life. Jesus, the greater One than Jonathan, too gave His all to His followers – His love, His grace, His peace, His joy, His life, His Spirit and His Heavenly Kingdom. Jesus loved us with His own life. Jesus is the Perfect Giver.

Jonathan and David were friends because they walked together in agreement. They were of like character and purpose as Christians are to be with Christ. Like David, Jonathan was full of faith in God, courageous in battle, a loyal friend, tender and capable of deep love. Even though Jonathan was torn between devotion to his father Saul and David, he offered love and encouragement to his friend David as Christ offers love and encouragement to us. No doubt, Jonathan never gave up hope that one day his father would return to the Lord. He stayed with Saul to the end, fighting beside him even to his death. Jonathan honored his earthly father, but he gave his life for David. The death of Saul and Jonathan opened the door for David to sit on the throne, just as Jesus’ death opened the door for all who love and follow Him to be seated on the throne with Him. God’s last will and testament is the New Covenant of salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ, which gives us our inheritance with the Father and Him.